EP4607028A1

EP4607028A1 - Compressor

Info

Publication number: EP4607028A1
Application number: EP23891738.9A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Seonjoon YOO; Youngbong Cho; Heewook JUNG; Taekgi KIM
Original assignee: LG Electronics Inc
Current assignee: LG Electronics Inc
Priority date: 2022-11-16
Filing date: 2023-06-26
Publication date: 2025-08-27
Also published as: CN120225776A; KR102759207B1; WO2024106664A1; EP4607028A4; KR20240071890A

Abstract

A compressor is disclosed. The compressor can have at least two support points at which a valve stopper supports the opening direction of a discharge valve. Therefore, the discharge valve offsets, according to a reduction in the length of a moment arm, torsional moment and/or rotational moment generated when the discharge valve is opened/closed, such that behavior instability that can occur when the discharge valve is opened and closed is restrained, and thus compression efficiency can be improved and compressor noise can be alleviated through a reduction in valve slap noise.

Description

Technical field

The disclosure relates to a compressor having a discharge valve.

Background Art

Compressors may be classified into a hermetic type, in which a motor unit and a compression unit are located together inside a casing, and an open type, in which the motor unit and the compression unit are located separately. This embodiment mainly describes a hermetic compressor, but may be equally applied to an open type compressor.
Compressors may be classified into a reciprocating type, a rotary type, a vane type, a scroll type, and the like according to a method of compressing refrigerant. Rotary compressors, vane compressors, and scroll compressors each include separate suction and discharge valves, whereas reciprocating compressors have one assembly of suction and discharge valves.
In case where the suction valve and the discharge valve are provided separately in the reciprocating compressor, an installation space for the valves is relatively spacious, so a high valve design freedom is achieved but an assembly process increases. On the other hand, when the suction valve and the discharge valve are arranged as a single assembly, the valve installation space is narrow, so the valve design freedom is low but the assembly process is reduced.
Patent Document 1 ( Japanese Laid-Open Patent Application No. 2009-299491 ) and Patent Document 2 ( Japanese Laid-Open Patent Application No. 2011-520059 ) each disclose a reciprocating compressor in which a suction valve and a discharge valve forming a single valve assembly are mounted.
Patent Document 1 corresponds to a case where a valve assembly having one discharge valve is arranged, and Patent Document 2 corresponds to a case where a valve assembly having a plurality of discharge valves is arranged. In the case where one discharge valve is arranged as in Patent Document 1, the number of parts is relatively small compared to the case where a plurality of discharge valves are arranged as in Patent Document 2, facilitating manufacturing and assembly.
However, in case where compressors have the same discharge capacity, a discharge port of Patent Document 1 needs to be formed wider than a discharge port of Patent Document 2. By the structure, the discharge valve of Patent Document 1 increases valve rigidity compared to the discharge valve of Patent Document 2. Due to this, the discharge valve of Patent Document 1 may have a reduced valve responsiveness, compared to the discharge valve of Patent Document 2, causing compression loss. Therefore, Patent Document 1 further employs a valve spring that elastically supports the discharge valve to increase the closing speed of the valve. This increases the number of parts in the valve assembly, thereby increasing manufacturing costs.
The discharge port in Patent Document 2 is arranged as a plurality of discharge ports, which may decrease an inner diameter of each discharge port, compared to that in Patent Document 1. Due to this, Patent Document 2 may reduce the valve rigidity of the discharge valve, thereby excluding the valve spring. However, in Patent Document 2, due to the characteristics of a reed valve, as the length of a moment arm increases, an opening and closing operation becomes unstable and a rotational moment also increases, which may aggravate collision noise. This may also be caused in Patent Document 1.
In Patent Document 2, a plurality of opening and closing end portions extend from one fixed end portion, and thereby stress on opposite sides of each opening and closing end becomes different, which may increase a torsional moment at each opening and closing end portion. This may make the behavior of the valve more unstable, thereby deteriorating compression efficiency.

Disclosure of Invention

Technical Problem

An aspect of the disclosure is to provide a compressor that is capable of stabilizing a valve behavior when a discharge valve is open and closed.
Another aspect of the disclosure is to provide a compressor that is capable of stabilizing a behavior of a discharge valve by canceling a torsional moment when the discharge valve is open and closed.
Another aspect of the disclosure is to provide a compressor that is capable of canceling a torsional moment and/or a rotational moment by reducing a length of a moment arm when a discharge valve is open and closed.
Another aspect of the disclosure is to provide a compressor that is capable of canceling valve slap noise which may occur when a discharge valve is open and closed.
Another aspect of the disclosure is to provide a compressor that is capable of smoothly opening and closing a discharge port while excluding a valve spring.

Solution to Problem

To achieve those aspects and other advantages of the disclosure, there is provided a compressor that includes a cylinder, a valve plate, a discharge valve, a discharge cover, and a valve stopper. The cylinder may include a compression chamber into which refrigerant is suctioned to be compressed. The valve plate may include a discharge port coupled to the cylinder to communicate with the compression chamber. The discharge valve may be arranged on one side of the valve plate on an opposite side of the cylinder, to open and close the discharge port. The discharge cover may be arranged on one side of the discharge valve on an opposite side of the valve plate to be coupled to the cylinder, and may accommodate the discharge port. The valve stopper may be arranged between the discharge valve and the discharge cover, and may support the discharge valve on the valve plate. The valve stopper may have at least two support points at which the valve stopper supports an opening direction of the discharge valve. Therefore, the discharge valve can cancel, according to a reduction in length of a moment arm, a torsional moment and/or rotational moment generated when the discharge valve is open and closed. This may suppress behavioral instability that may occur when the discharge valve is open and closed, thereby enhancing compression efficiency and improving compressor noise through a reduction in valve slap noise.
For example, the valve stopper may include: a valve fixing portion arranged on one end thereof to be in close contact with the discharge valve; and a valve support portion extending from the valve fixing portion, the discharge valve being in contact with or separated from the valve support portion, and the support point may be formed as at least one support point between opposite longitudinal ends of the valve support portion. This can suppress behavioral instability that may occur between the valve plate and the valve support portion when opening and closing the discharge valve, and also reduce valve slap noise with respect to the valve support portion.
For example, the valve stopper may include a first support point formed between the valve fixing portion and the valve support portion, and a second support point formed on a middle portion of the valve support portion in a longitudinal direction of the valve support portion. With this configuration, when the discharge valve is open, the discharge valve may primarily be in contact with the first support point and then secondarily in contact with the second support point, so that a moment arm can be shortened under the condition that the discharge valve entirely has the same length.
In some embodiments, the valve support portion may be formed such that a second length from the first support point to the second support point is greater than or equal to a first length of the valve fixing portion. With this configuration, the second support point can be positioned as far away from the valve fixing point as possible, effectively suppressing the behavioral instability of the discharge valve while further reducing valve slap noise.
In some embodiments, the valve support portion may be formed such that a second length from the first support point to the second support point is greater than or equal to a third length from the second support point to an end of the valve support portion. This can suppress an excessive increase in rigidity at the fixed end portion side of the discharge valve, thereby suppressing discharge resistance due to delayed opening of the discharge valve.
In some embodiments, the valve support portion may be formed such that a second length from the first support point to the second support point is greater than or equal to a first length of the valve fixing portion. The second length from the first support point to the second support point may be greater than or equal to a third length from the second support point to an end of the valve support portion. The second length may be smaller than or equal to the third length. This can suppress an excessive increase in rigidity at the fixed end portion side of the discharge valve while reducing behavioral instability and valve slap noise of the discharge valve, thereby suppressing discharge resistance due to delayed opening of the discharge valve.
As another example, a first height between the valve fixing portion and the valve support portion may be smaller than or equal to a second height between the opposite ends of the valve support portion. With this configuration, at the beginning of opening the discharge valve, the degree by which the discharge valve is open may be primarily limited quickly, thereby effectively suppressing behavioral instability of the discharge valve while further reducing valve slap noise.
In another example, a valve buffer portion may be formed in a valve support surface of the valve support portion which faces the discharge valve. With this configuration, an opening speed of the discharge valve can be reduced when opening the discharge valve, thereby further stabilizing the behavior of the discharge valve and further reducing valve slap noise.
For example, the valve support portion may include: a first valve support portion extending from the valve fixing portion; and a second valve support portion extending from the first valve support portion and including a support point between the first valve support portion and the second valve support portion. The valve buffer portion may be formed in the first valve support portion. With this configuration, the rear surface of the discharge valve can be buffered at the beginning of opening the discharge valve, thereby further stabilizing the behavior of the discharge valve and further reducing valve slap noise.
In some embodiments, the valve buffer portion may be formed concavely in or through the valve support surface. With this configuration, refrigerant and/or oil can be stored between the rear surface of the discharge valve and the valve stopper facing the rear surface, thereby further stabilizing the behavior of the discharge valve and further reducing valve slap noise.
In some embodiments, the valve buffer portion may be formed in the valve support surface to be inclined. With this configuration, the behavior of the discharge valve can be stabilized, valve noise can be reduced, and a gap between the valve plate and the valve stopper can be secured, thereby reducing discharge resistance at the beginning of opening the discharge valve.
As another example, the discharge port may be arranged as a plurality of discharge ports, and the discharge valve may include one fixed end portion, and a plurality of opening and closing end portions extending from the fixed end portion. The valve stopper may include one valve fixing portion and a plurality of valve support portions extending from the fixed end portion. The plurality of valve support portions may each include a tilting suppression portion extending radially. With the configuration, even when the plurality of opening and closing end portions extend from the single fixed end portion, the plurality of opening and closing end portions can be open and closed as stably as possible.
For example, the plurality of valve support portions may extend, in a direction crossing a longitudinal direction of the valve fixing portion, from opposite sides of the valve fixing portion in the longitudinal direction. The tilting suppression portions may extend from surfaces of the plurality of valve support portions, opposite to surfaces of the plurality of valve support portion which face each other. With this configuration, even when the plurality of opening and closing end portions receive force in a direction that they are separated from each other, the tilting suppression portion can cancel the force, allowing the plurality of opening and closing end portions to be open and closed stably.
In some embodiments, the tilting suppression portions may be formed on an opposite side of the valve fixing portion based on virtual lines connecting centers of the plurality of valve support portions. With this configuration, a force that the plurality of opening and closing end portions receive in the direction that they are separated from each other can be effectively canceled, such that the plurality of opening and closing end portions can be open and closed more stably.
For example, each of the plurality of valve support portions may include a support protrusion extending radially. The tilting suppression portion may extend radially between the support protrusion and the valve support portion. With this configuration, the tilting suppression portion can be easily formed while securing strength of the tilting suppression portion and the support protrusion.

Advantageous Effects of Invention

A compressor according to an embodiment may have at least two support points at which a valve stopper supports an opening direction of a discharge valve. Therefore, the discharge valve can cancel, according to a reduction in length of a moment arm, a torsional moment and/or rotational moment generated when the discharge valve is open and closed. This may suppress behavioral instability that may occur when the discharge valve is open and closed, thereby enhancing compression efficiency and improving compressor noise through a reduction in valve slap noise.
In a compressor according to an embodiment, the valve stopper may include a valve fixing portion arranged on one end thereof to be in close contact with the discharge valve, and a valve support portion extending from the valve fixing portion such that the discharge valve is in contact with or separated from the valve support portion, and the valve support portion may have at least one support point between opposite ends in a longitudinal direction. This can suppress behavioral instability that may occur between a valve plate and the valve support portion when opening and closing the discharge valve, and also reduce valve slap noise with respect to the valve support portion.
In a compressor according to an embodiment, a first height between the valve fixing portion and the valve support portion may be smaller than or equal to a second height between opposite ends of the valve support portion. With this configuration, at the beginning of opening the discharge valve, a degree by which the discharge valve is open may be primarily limited quickly, thereby effectively suppressing behavioral instability of the discharge valve while further reducing valve slap noise.
A compressor according to an embodiment may include a valve buffer portion formed in a valve support surface of the valve support portion which faces the discharge valve. With this configuration, an opening speed of the discharge valve can be reduced when opening the discharge valve, thereby further stabilizing the behavior of the discharge valve and further reducing the valve slap noise.
In a compressor according to an embodiment, the valve stopper may include one valve fixing portion and a plurality of valve support portions extending from one fixed end portion, and a tilting suppression portion may extend radially from each of the plurality of valve support portions. With the configuration, even when a plurality of opening and closing end portions extend from the single fixed end portion, the plurality of opening and closing end portions can be open and closed as stably as possible.

Brief Description of Drawings

FIG. 1 is a projected perspective view of an inside of a shell of a reciprocating compressor according to an embodiment.
FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of an inside of the reciprocating compressor according to FIG. 1.
FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view of a valve assembly in FIG. 2.
FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a valve stopper in FIG. 3, viewed from a discharge cover side.
FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the valve stopper in FIG. 3, viewed from a cylinder side.
FIG. 6 is a plan view of FIG. 5.
FIG. 7 is a lateral view of FIG. 5.
FIG. 8 is an assembled plan view of a discharge system of the valve assembly in FIG. 3.
FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view taken along line "X-X" of FIG. 7.
FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view taken along line "XI-XI" of FIG. 7.
FIGS. 11A to 11C are schematic views of an opening operation of a discharge valve.
FIG. 12 is a cross-sectional view of another embodiment of a valve stopper.
FIG. 13 is a perspective view of still another embodiment of a valve stopper.

Mode for the Invention

A description will now be given in detail of a compressor according to the disclosure, with reference to the accompanying drawings. As explained above, a compressor includes a discharge valve by which refrigerant is locked in a compression chamber, compressed in the compression chamber, and discharged. Depending on a compression method, the discharge valve may be installed together with a suction valve or installed separately from the suction valve. This embodiment is described mainly with reference to a connection-type reciprocating compressor in which a discharge valve is installed together with a suction valve. However, with no limit to the connection-type reciprocating compressor, the disclosure may be applied equally to any compressor in which a discharge valve and a suction valve form a valve assembly and this valve assembly is applied.
The discharge valve may be arranged as a single discharge valve, arranged independently as a plurality of discharge valves, or arranged as a plurality of discharge valves connected to each other. This embodiment will be explained focusing on an example in which a plurality of discharge valves are connected to each other. However, the disclosure may also be applied in cases where there is only one discharge valve and/or where a plurality of discharge valves are arranged independently.
In the following description, based on a piston, a side toward a compression chamber is defined a front side, and an opposite side is defined as a rear side. In connection with this, in a valve assembly, a side where the discharge valve is open is defined as the front side, and a side where the discharge valve is closed is defined as the rear.
FIG. 1 is a projected longitudinal view of an inside of a shell of a reciprocating compressor according to an embodiment, FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of an inside of the reciprocating compressor according to FIG. 1, and FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view of a valve assembly in FIG. 2.
Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, a reciprocating compressor according to an embodiment may include a shell 110 forming an exterior, a motor unit 120 located in an inner space 110a of the shell 110 to supply driving force, a compression unit 130 configured to compress refrigerant by receiving the driving force from the motor unit 120, a suction and discharge unit 140 configured to guide refrigerant into a compression chamber and discharge the compressed refrigerant, and a support unit 150 configured to support a compressor body C including the motor unit 120 and the compression unit 130 with respect to the shell.
The shell 110 may include a lower shell 111 and an upper shell 112. The lower shell 111 and the upper shell 112 may be coupled to form the sealed inner space 110a. The motor unit 120 and the compression unit 130 may be accommodated in the inner space 110a of the shell 110. The shell 110 may be made of an aluminum alloy (hereinafter, abbreviated as aluminum) that is lightweight and has a high thermal conductivity coefficient.
The lower shell 111 may be formed in a substantially hemispherical shape. A suction pipe 115, a discharge pipe 116, and a process pipe (not shown) may each be connected through the lower shell 111. The suction pipe 115, the discharge pipe 116, and the process pipe (not shown) may each be coupled to the lower shell 111 by an insert die-casting method.
The upper shell 112 may be formed in a substantially hemispherical shape like the lower shell 111. The upper shell 112 may be coupled to the lower shell 111 on an upper side of the lower shell 111 to form the inner space 110a of the shell 110.
The upper shell 112 and the lower shell 111 may be coupled by welding, but may be coupled by bolts in case that the lower shell 111 and the upper shell 112 are formed of aluminum material that is difficult to be welded.
Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, the motor unit 120 according to an embodiment may include a stator 121 and a rotor 122.
The stator 121 may be elastically supported against the inner space 110a of the shell 110, i.e., a bottom surface of the lower shell 111, and the rotor 122 may be rotatably installed inside the stator 121.
The stator 121 according to an embodiment may include a stator core 1211 and a stator coil 1212.
The stator core 1211 may be made of a metal material, such as electrical steel, and when voltage is applied from the outside to the motor unit 120, the stator core 1211 may perform electromagnetic interaction through electromagnetic force together with the stator coil 1212 and the rotor 122 to be described later.
The stator core 1211 may be formed substantially in a rectangular box shape. For example, the stator core 122 may have an inner circumferential surface formed in a circular shape, and an outer circumferential surface formed in a rectangular shape. The stator core 1211 may be fixed to a lower surface of a main bearing 131 by a stator fastening bolt (not shown).
The stator core 1211 may be spaced apart axially and radially from an inner surface of the shell 110 and a lower end of the stator core 1211 may be supported by a support spring 151 to be described later with respect to the bottom surface of the shell 110. Accordingly, vibrations that occur during operation can be suppressed from being directly transmitted to the shell 110.
The stator coil 1212 may be wound inside the stator core 1211. As described above, when voltage is applied from the outside, the stator coil 1212 may generate electromagnetic force and perform electromagnetic interaction with the stator core 1211 and the rotor 122. Through this, the motor unit 120 may generate driving force for a reciprocating motion of the compression unit 130.
The rotor 122 according to an embodiment may include a rotor core 1221 and magnets 1222.
The rotor core 1221, like the stator core 1211, may be made of a metal material, such as electrical steel, and may be formed in a substantially cylindrical shape. A crankshaft 125 to be explained later may be press-fitted to a center of the rotor core 1221.
The magnets 1222 may be permanent magnets, and may be inserted at uniform intervals along a circumferential direction of the rotor core 1221. When voltage is applied, the rotor 122 may rotate through electromagnetic interaction with the stator core 1211 and the stator coil 1212. Accordingly, the crankshaft 122 may transmit rotational force of the motor unit 120 to the compression unit 130 through a connecting rod 126 while rotating together with the rotor 122.
Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, the compression unit 130 according to an embodiment may include a main bearing 131 and a piston 132. The main bearing 131 may be elastically supported on the shell 110, and the piston 132 may be connected to the crankshaft 125 by the connecting rod 126 and move relative to the main bearing 131.
The main bearing 131 may be arranged on an upper side of the motor unit 120. The main bearing 131 may include a frame portion 1311, a fixed protrusion 1312 coupled to the stator 121 of the motor unit 120, a shaft support portion 1313 supporting the crankshaft 125, and a cylinder portion (cylinder) 1315 forming a compression chamber 1315a.
The frame portion 1311 may be formed in a flat plate shape extending in a transverse direction, or may be formed in a radial plate shape by having a portion of an edge except for corners cut out.
The fixed protrusion 1312 may be formed on the edge of the frame portion 1311. For example, the fixed protrusion 1312 may protrude downward from the edge of the frame portion 1311 toward the motor unit 120.
The main bearing 131 may be fastened to the stator 121 by a stator fastening bolt 215, thus to be elastically supported on the lower shell 111 together with the stator 121 of the motor unit 120.
The shaft support portion 1313 may extend from a center of the frame portion 1311 to opposite sides in an axial direction. A shaft support hole 1313a through which the crankshaft 125 is inserted may be formed axially through the shaft support portion 1313, and a bush bearing may be fitted to an inner circumferential surface of the shaft support hole 1313a.
A plate portion 1253 of the crankshaft 125 may be axially supported on an upper end of the shaft support portion 1313, and a bearing portion 1252 of the crankshaft 125 may be radially supported on the inner circumferential surface of the shaft support portion 1313. Accordingly, the crankshaft 125 can be supported axially and radially by the main bearing 131.
The cylinder portion (hereinafter, abbreviated as a cylinder) 1315 may be formed to be radially eccentric from one edge of the frame portion 1311. The cylinder 1315 may penetrate radially. The piston 132 connected to the connecting rod 126 may be inserted into an inner open end of the cylinder 1315, and a valve assembly 141 forming the suction and discharge unit 140 to be described later may be mounted in an outer open end.
The piston 132 may be formed in a shape in which a side (rear side) facing the connecting rod 126 is open and a front side as an opposite side is closed. Accordingly, the connecting rod 126 may be rotatably inserted into the rear side of the piston 132, and the front side of the piston 132 may be formed in a closed shape to form a compression chamber 1315a inside the cylinder 1315 together with the valve assembly 141 to be described later.
Referring to FIGS. 1 to 3, the suction and discharge unit 140 according to an embodiment may include a valve assembly 141, a suction muffler 142, and a discharge muffler 143. The valve assembly 141 and the suction muffler 142 may be sequentially coupled from the open end of the cylinder 1315.
The valve assembly 141 may include a valve plate 1411, a suction valve 1412, a discharge valve 1413, a valve stopper 1414, and a discharge cover 1415.
The valve plate 1411 may be formed in a substantially rectangular plate shape and may be installed to cover a front end surface of the main bearing 131, i.e., one side open surface of the compression chamber 1315a. For example, a fastening hole (not shown) may be formed in each corner of the valve plate 1411 and may be fastened by a bolt to a fastening groove (not shown) arranged in the front end surface of the main bearing 131.
The valve plate 1411 may be formed so that opposite side surfaces are approximately flat, and may include one suction port 1411a and a plurality of discharge ports 1411b formed through a center of the valve plate 1411. However, in some cases, each of the suction port 1411a and/or the discharge port 1411b may be arranged as one port. The valve plate 1411 will be described later again together with a discharge system.
The suction valve 1412 may be formed as a rectangular plate made of a thin steel plate and may be arranged on a side toward the piston 132, i.e., the rear side surface, with respect to the valve plate 1411. Accordingly, the suction valve 1411 may be open and closed by being bent in a direction toward the piston 132.
The discharge valve 1413 may be formed as a long plate made of a thin steel plate and may be arranged on a front side surface of the valve plate 1411. Accordingly, the discharge valve 1413 may be open and closed by being bent in a direction opposing the piston 132. The discharge valve 1413 will be described later again together with the discharge system.
The valve stopper 1414 may be arranged between the discharge valve 1413 and the discharge cover 1415. Accordingly, the valve stopper 1414 may fix the discharge valve 1413 by pressing the discharge valve 1413 to the valve plate 1411. The valve stopper 1414 will be described later again together with the discharge system.
The discharge cover 1415 may be fastened to a front end surface of the main bearing 131 with the suction valve 1412 and the valve plate 1411 in between to finally cover the compression chamber 1315a. Accordingly, the discharge cover 1415 may also be referred to as a cylinder cover.
A discharge chamber 1415a may be formed in an inner surface of the discharge cover 1415, and a muffler fixing portion (not shown) may be formed in a central portion of the discharge chamber 1415a, such that a connecting portion (not shown) of the suction muffler 142 to be explained later is inserted therein. A stopper pressing portion (not shown) that presses and fixes opposite ends of the valve stopper 1414 may be formed around the muffler fixing portion.
Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, the suction muffler 142 according to an embodiment may deliver refrigerant, which is suctioned through a suction pipe 115, to the compression chamber 1315a of the cylinder 1315. The suction muffler 142 may be fixed by the valve assembly 141 to communicate with the suction port 1411a of the valve plate 1411.
The interior of the suction muffler 142 may define a suction space portion (reference numeral not given), an inlet of the suction space portion may communicate with the suction pipe 115 directly or indirectly, and an outlet of the suction space portion may communicate directly with a suction side of the valve assembly 141.
The discharge muffler 143 according to an embodiment may be installed separately from the main bearing 131. The interior of the discharge muffler 143 may define a discharge space portion (reference numeral not given), an inlet of the discharge space portion may be connected to a discharge side of the valve assembly 141 by a loop pipe 118 and an outlet of the discharge space portion may be connected directly to the discharge pipe 116 by the loop pipe 118.
Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, the support member 150 according to an embodiment may support a portion between the lower surface of the motor unit 120 and the bottom surface of the lower shell 111 opposing the motor unit 120, and may typically support the four corners of the motor unit 120 with respect to the shell 110. For example, the support portion 150 may include a support spring 151, a first spring cap 152 supporting a lower end of the support spring, and a second spring cap 153.
In the drawings, an unexplained reference numeral 1255 denotes an oil feeder.
The scroll compressor according to the embodiment may operate as follows.
In some embodiments, when power is applied to the motor unit 120, the rotor 122 may rotate. When the rotor 122 rotates, the crankshaft 125 coupled to the rotor 122 may rotate and transmit rotational force to the piston 132 through the connecting rod 126. The piston 132 may reciprocate in a back-and-forth direction with respect to the cylinder 1315 by the connecting rod 126.
For example, when the piston 132 moves backward in the cylinder 1315, a volume of the compression chamber 1315a may increase. As the volume of the compression chamber 1315a increases, refrigerant filled in the suction muffler 142 may pass through the suction valve 1412 of the valve assembly 141 and may be suctioned into the compression chamber 1315a of the cylinder 1315.
In another example, when the piston 132 moves forward in the cylinder 1315, the volume of the compression chamber 1315a may decrease. As the volume of the compression chamber 1315a decreases, refrigerant filled in the compression chamber 1315a may be compressed, may pass through the discharge valve 1413 of the valve assembly 141, and may be discharged into a discharge chamber 1415a of the discharge cover 1415. The refrigerant may flow into the discharge space portion of the discharge muffler 143 through the loop pipe 118, and be discharged into a refrigeration cycle via the loop pipe 118 and the discharge pipe 116. This series of processes may be repeatedly performed.
The discharge valve 1413 may be open and closed by a difference between pressure of the compression chamber 1315a and pressure of the discharge chamber 1415a and elastic force of the discharge valve 1413. For example, during a suction stroke of the piston 132, the pressure of the compression chamber 1315a may be lower than the pressure of the discharge chamber 1415a. Accordingly, the discharge valve 1413 may be pushed by the pressure of the discharge chamber 1415a, thereby being closed.
In another example, during a discharge stroke of the piston 132, the pressure of the compression chamber 1315a may be higher than the pressure of the discharge chamber 1415a. The discharge valve 1413 may be pushed by the pressure of the compression chamber 1315a and bent around a fixed end portion 1413a to be explained later, thereby being open.
Here, a valve stopper that acts as a retainer may be arranged on an open side (front side) of the discharge valve 1413 to limit a degree by which the discharge valve is open. However, the related art valve stopper has one side surface facing the discharge valve formed as a single curve. This may make the behavior of the discharge valve unstable when the discharge valve is open and closed. In some embodiments, there is no inflected support point on a valve support surface of the valve stopper supporting the discharge valve. Accordingly, the discharge valve may be subjected to a torsional moment due to a long moment arm without any attenuation. Due to this, when the discharge valve is open and closed, the opening and closing end portion of the discharge valve may be distorted, causing unstable behavior and deteriorated compression efficiency. Furthermore, the moment arm of the discharge valve may become longer, thereby aggravating collision noise.
Accordingly, in this embodiment, when the discharge valve is open and closed, the moment arm may be reduced, thereby stabilizing the behavior of the discharge valve and reducing collision noise due to valve slap noise.
FIG. 6 is a plan view of FIG. 5, FIG. 7 is a lateral view of FIG. 5, FIG. 8 is an assembled plan view of a discharge port of the valve assembly in FIG. 3, FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view taken along line "X-X" of FIG. 7, and FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view taken along line "XI-XI" of FIG. 7.
Referring again to FIG. 3, the valve assembly 141 according to an embodiment may include a suction system and a discharge system with the valve plate 1411 in between. For example, the suction system of the valve assembly 141 may include the valve plate 1411 and the suction valve 1412 and may be arranged on the side of the cylinder 1315, and the discharge system may include the valve plate 1411 and the discharge valve 1413 and may be arranged on an opposite side of the cylinder 1314. Hereinafter, a description will focus on the discharge system, excluding the suction system, and accordingly, the discharge system will be collectively referred to as the valve assembly in the following description.
Referring to FIGS. 3 and 4, the valve assembly 141 according to an embodiment, as described above, may include the valve plate 1411, the discharge valve 1413, and the valve stopper 1414, excluding the suction valve 1412.
As described above, the valve plate 1411 may be formed so that opposite side surfaces are substantially flat, but the discharge port 1411b may be formed through a central portion of the valve plate 1411 between the opposite side surfaces. A discharge guide groove 1411c may be formed concavely around the discharge port 1411b to surround the discharge port 1411b. Accordingly, the length of the discharge port 1411b may be smaller than the thickness of the valve plate 1411, so that a dead volume in the discharge port 1411b can be reduced.
The discharge port 1411 may be arranged as one discharge port or as a plurality of discharge ports in the valve plate 1411. This embodiment illustrates an example in which the discharge port 1411b is arranged as a plurality of discharge ports, as described above. Accordingly, an inner diameter of each discharge port 1411b may be reduced, so that an opening and closing end portion 1413c of the discharge valve 1413 to be described later can be formed with reduced rigidity.
For example, according to an embodiment, the discharge ports 1411b may be arranged on the left and right sides, respectively, and the discharge ports 1411b may be formed symmetrically to each other. Accordingly, the same amount of refrigerant may be discharged through both the discharge ports 1411b, thereby stabilizing the behavior of the discharge valve 1413 to be described later.
The plurality of discharge ports 1411b may all be accommodated in one discharge guide groove 1411c. In other words, the plurality of discharge ports 1411b may be arranged on opposite left and right sides inside the single discharge guide groove 1411c. Accordingly, refrigerant in the compression chamber 1315a can be discharged into the discharge guide groove 1411c through both the discharge ports 1411b, and then guided to the discharge pipe 116 through the discharge space 1415a of the discharge cover 1415.
The discharge guide groove 1411c may be formed to surround the plurality of discharge ports 1411b, and may be formed in an approximately rectangular shape so as to accommodate both the opposite opening and closing end portions 1413c of the discharge valve 1413 to be described later. Accordingly, the processability for the discharge guide groove 1411c can be improved.
Although not shown in the drawing, the discharge guide groove 1411c may be arranged as a plurality of discharge guide grooves 1411c to individually accommodate the plurality of discharge ports 1411b. In this case, the discharge ports 1411b may be formed to have different diameters.
A bottom surface of the discharge guide groove 1411c may be formed to be entirely flat. In some embodiments, the bottom surface of the discharge guide groove 1411c may be formed mostly at the same height, except for a valve seat surface (reference numeral not given) around the discharge port 1411b. Accordingly, a volume of the discharge guide groove 1411c can be secured as wide as possible to minimize discharge resistance for refrigerant discharged through the discharge port 1411b.
A valve fixing groove 1411d may be formed on one side (an upper side in the drawing) of the discharge guide groove 1411c. For example, the valve fixing groove 1411d may extend long in left and right directions to correspond to the fixed end portion 1413a of the discharge valve 1413 to be described later, and may be formed in a rectangular shape when projected on a plane. Accordingly, the fixed end portion 1413a of the discharge valve 1413 to be described later may be mounted in the valve fixing groove 1411d, pressed by a valve fixing portion 1414a of the valve stopper 1414 to be explained later, and thereby fixed to the valve plate 1411.
A depth of the valve fixing groove 1411d may be the same as a depth of the discharge guide groove 1411c, and in some cases, may be smaller than the depth of the discharge guide groove 1411c considering a height of the valve seat surface. In the embodiment, an example is shown in which the depth of the valve fixing groove 1411d is the same as the depth of the discharge guide groove 1411c.
Stopper support grooves 1411e may be formed on opposite left and right side surfaces of the discharge guide groove 1411c. The stopper support grooves 1411e may be formed by extending long in a first direction such that support protrusions 1414c of the valve stopper 1414 to be described later may be inserted therein. Accordingly, the valve fixing portion 1414a of the valve stopper 1414 to be described later can be fixedly inserted into the discharge guide groove 1411c, and the support protrusions 1414c of the valve stopper 1414 to be described later can be fixedly inserted into the stopper support grooves 1411e. With this configuration, the valve stopper 1414 can be stably fixed to the valve plate 1411 while pressing the discharge valve 1413.
Referring to FIGS. 3 and 4, the discharge valve 1413 according to an embodiment may include a fixed end portion 1413a, connecting portions 1413b, and opening and closing end portions 1413c. The fixed end portion 1413a may be a portion fixed to the valve plate 1411, the connecting portions 1413b may be portions extending from the fixed end portion 1413a, and the opening and closing end portions 1413c may be portions extending from the connecting portions 1413b to open and close the discharge ports 1411b. In some embodiments, the fixed end portion 1413a may be formed on one end of the discharge valve 1413, the opening and closing end portions 1413c may be formed on another end of the discharge valve 1413, and the connecting portions 1413b may be formed between the opposite ends of the discharge valve 1413. However, for convenience, the connecting portions 1413b may also be defined as being included in the opening and closing portions 1413c.
The fixed end portion 1413a may be inserted into the valve fixing groove 1411d described above and fixed to the valve plate 1411 by being pressed against the valve fixing portion 1414a of the valve stopper 1414 to be described later. Accordingly, the fixed end portion 1413a may be formed to correspond to the valve fixing groove 1411d.
In some embodiments, the fixed end portion 1413a may be restrained in a longitudinal direction of the discharge valve 1413, for example, in a second direction orthogonal to the first direction, by fixing protrusions 1411f, which are arranged between an inner surface of the discharge guide groove 1411c and an inner surface of the valve fixing groove 1411d while being inserted into the valve fixing groove 1411d. Accordingly, the fixed end portion 1413a can be stably fixed inside the valve fixing groove 1411a.
The connecting portions 1413b may extend in parallel from opposite ends of the fixed end portion 1413a, but each connecting portion 1413b may be formed smaller than the width of the fixed end portion 1413a. Accordingly, the rigidity of the connecting portion 1413b can be lowered, allowing the discharge port to be open quickly when the valve is open.
The connecting portions 1413b may be formed with the same width along the longitudinal direction (the second direction), but may also be formed so that the width gradually increases toward the opening and closing end portions 1413c to be described later, as in the embodiment. In this case, even when the width of each connecting portion 1413b is formed smaller than the width (diameter) of the corresponding opening and closing portion 1413c, valve damage can be suppressed between the connecting portion 1413b and the opening and closing portion 1413c.
The opening and closing portion 1413c may be formed to be inserted into the discharge guide groove 1411c together with the connecting portion 1413b. For example, the opening and closing portion 1413c may extend in the second direction from the connecting portion 1413b toward the discharge port 1411b, but may be widely expanded into an almost circular shape so as to be able to open and close the discharge port 1411b. Accordingly, the opening and closing end portion 1413c connected to the other end of the connecting portion 1413b can be formed in a cantilever shape having a free end in the discharge guide groove 1411c.
The opening and closing end portion 1413c may be arranged as a plurality of opening and closing portions 1413c, to independently open and close the respective discharge ports 1411b. In some embodiments, the opening and closing end portions 1413c may extend parallel to each other in the second direction from the connecting portions 1413b to correspond to the discharge ports 1411b, respectively. Accordingly, the plurality of opening and closing end portions 1413c can open and close the respective discharge ports 1411b simultaneously.
The plurality of opening and closing end portions 1413c may each form a cantilever shape together with the corresponding connecting portion 1413b as described above. Accordingly, the plurality of opening and closing end portions 1413c can rotate centering on the single fixed end portion 1413a. At this time, when a moment arm (or a length of an opening and closing portion) which is defined as a distance from a support point to a force point of the opening and closing end portion 1413c increases, a torsional moment and a rotational moment for the opening and closing end portion 1413c may increase, causing the behavior of the opening and closing end portion 1413c to be unstable and valve slap noise to increase. However, in this embodiment, the valve support portion of the valve stopper 1414 to be described later may be formed in a plurality of steps, so as to shorten the moment arm (the length of the opening and closing portion) when the opening and closing end portion 1413c is open and closed. Accordingly, when the opening and closing end portion 1413c is open and closed, the torsional moment and/or rotational moment can decrease, thereby stabilizing the behavior of the opening and closing end portion 1413c and reducing valve slap noise. This will be described later again in relation to the valve stopper 1414.
In some embodiments, as the plurality of opening and closing end portions 1413c extend in parallel from the single fixed end portion 1413a together with the connecting portions 1413b as described above, the respective opening and closing end portions 1413c may receive a relatively stronger stress from the fixed end portion 1413a on side surfaces facing each other than opposite side surfaces (i.e., outer side surfaces with respect to the second direction). Accordingly, when the opposite opening and closing end portions 1413c are open, the side surfaces facing each other, that is, the inner side surfaces of the opening and closing end portions 1413c, may be more delayed than the opposite outer side surfaces. This may cause a type of tilting phenomenon in which the opening and closing end portions 1413c are distorted.
However, in this embodiment, a tilting suppression portion 1414d may be formed on the valve stopper 1414 to be described later, thereby reducing the tilting phenomenon that occurs when the opening and closing end portion 1413c is open and closed. This will be described later again in relation to the valve stopper 1414.
Referring to FIGS. 4 to 7, the valve stopper 1414 according to the embodiment may include a valve fixing portion 1414a and valve support portions 1414b. The valve stopper 1414 may be formed substantially in a shape similar to the discharge valve 1413.
For example, the valve stopper 1414 may be formed such that a plurality of valve support portions 1414b extend from one valve fixing portion 1414a in a direction crossing a longitudinal direction of the valve fixing portion 1414a. In some embodiments, the valve fixing portion 1414a may extend into a rectangular shape in the first direction, and the valve support portions 1414b may extend in parallel to each other from opposite ends of the valve fixing portion 1414a.
The valve fixing portion 1414a may be formed in a shape and/or size that is almost similar or identical to the fixed end portion 1413a of the discharge valve 1413. In some embodiments, the valve fixing portion 1414a may be formed in a long rectangular shape in the first direction, similar to the fixed end portion 1413a. Accordingly, the valve fixing portion 1414a can be inserted into the valve fixing groove 1411d and fixed to the valve plate 1411 together with the fixed end portion 1413a of the discharge valve 1413.
The plurality of valve support portions 1414b may be formed symmetrically to each other, similar to the connecting portions 1413b and opening and closing end portions 1413c. Accordingly, the following description will focus on one valve support portion 1414b and the description of the other valve support portion 1414b will be omitted.
Referring to FIGS. 6 and 7, the valve support portion 1414b may be formed in a plurality of steps. In some embodiments, a surface of the valve support portion 1414b that opposes the discharge valve 1413 may be formed in a plurality of steps. The surface of the valve support portion 1414b opposing the discharge valve 1413 may be called a valve support surface, but for convenience of description, the valve support surface will be generally referred to as the valve support portion 1414b.
In some embodiments, the valve support portion 1414b according to the embodiment may include a first valve support portion 1414b1 and a second valve support portion 1414b2. The first valve support portion 1414b1 may be formed in succession to the valve fixing portion 1414a, and the second valve support portion 1414b2 may be formed in succession to the first valve support portion 1414b1. Accordingly, the valve support portion 1414b may be formed in the order of the valve fixing portion 1414a - the first valve support portion 1414b1 - the second valve support portion 1414b2, and a first support point P1 may be formed between the valve fixing portion 1414a and the first valve support portion 1414b1 and a second support point P2 may be formed between the first valve support portion 1414b1 and the second valve support portion 1414b2. The first support point P1 and the second support point P2 may each form a line (or a narrow surface) in a width direction of the valve support portion 1414b when projected axially, but in the following description, they will be explained as points based on the drawings viewed from the front.
For example, the first valve support portion 1414b1 may be formed flat. For example, the first valve support portion 1414b1 may be stepped by a first height H1 with respect to the valve fixing portion 1414a, but may be formed parallel to the valve fixing portion 1414a. Accordingly, when a portion (e.g., a neck portion) of the opening and closing end portion 1413c is open and closed, the degree by which the discharge valve 1413 is open may be limited by the first valve support portion 1414b1 while the discharge valve 1413 rotates centering around the first support point P1.
A length (a second length) L2 of the first valve support portion 1414b1 may be formed to be greater than or equal to a length (a first length) L1 of the valve fixing portion 1414a. For example, the length L2 of the first valve support portion 1414b1 may be longer than the length L1 of the valve fixing portion 1414a. This can suppress an excessive increase in rigidity of the discharge valve 1413.
The second valve support portion 1414b2 according to the embodiment may be formed curved. For example, the second valve support portion 1414b2 may be stepped by a second height H2 to be explained later from the first valve support portion 1414b1, with being curved by a preset curvature with respect to the first valve support portion 1414a. In some embodiments, the first valve support portion 1414b1 may be formed as a straight surface, and the second valve support portion 1414b2 may be formed as a curved surface so that the second height H2 gradually increases away from an end of the first valve support portion 1414b1. Accordingly, when another portion (e.g., an opening and closing portion) of the opening and closing end portion 1413c is open and closed, the degree by which the discharge valve 1413 is open may be limited by the second valve support portion 1414b2 while the discharge valve 1413 rotates centering around the second support point P2.
A length (a third length) L3 of the second valve support portion 1414b2 may be formed to be greater than or equal to the length L1 of the valve fixing portion 1414a. For example, the length L3 of the second valve support portion 1414b2 may be longer than the length L1 of the valve fixing portion 1414a. This can suppress an excessive increase in rigidity of the discharge valve 1413.
The height of the second valve support portion 1414b2, that is, the height (hereinafter, referred to as the second height) H2 between the first valve support portion 1414b1 and the second valve support portion 1414b2 may be formed to be greater than or equal to the first height H1. For example, the second height H2 may be formed to be approximately twice as large as the first height H1. Accordingly, by quickly canceling a torsional moment of the discharge valve 1413 at the beginning of opening the discharge valve 1413, the behavior of the discharge valve 1413 can be stabilized, and discharge resistance of refrigerant discharged through the discharge port 1411b can be minimized.
A support protrusion 1414c that extends radially from the second valve support portion 1414b2 may be formed on an outer circumferential surface of the second valve support portion 1414b2. The support protrusion 1414c may extend in the first direction to correspond to the stopper support groove 1411e of the valve plate 1411 described above. A tilting suppression portion 1414d to be described later may extend radially between the support protrusion 1414c and the second valve support portion 1414b2. This may facilitate the formation of the tilting suppression portion 1414d as well as the support protrusion 1414c, and also secure the strength of the tilting suppression portion 1414d as well as the support protrusion 1414c.
In some embodiments, the tilting suppression portion 1414d may be formed on the outer circumferential surface of the second valve support portion 1414b2 to support the opening and closing end portion 1413c of the discharge valve 1413. The tilting suppression portion 1414d may extend in a direction away from the second valve support portion 1414b2 on the opposite side. Accordingly, in case that the plurality of opening and closing end portions 1413c of the discharge valve 1413 extend in parallel from the single fixed end portion 1413a, this may result in canceling the instability of the behavior of an opening and closing operation due to a difference in stress applied to opposite side surfaces of each opening and closing end portion 1413c upon opening and closing the discharge valve 1413.
For example, as shown in FIG. 6, the tilting suppression portions 1414d may extend radially from the outer circumferential surfaces of the valve support portions 1414b, but may each be located on the opposite side of the valve fixing portion 1414a based on a virtual line (hereinafter, referred to as a first direction virtual line) CL1 connecting (extending) the center of the corresponding valve support portion 1414b in the first direction. In some embodiments, the tilting suppression portions 1414b may extend radially from the circumferential surfaces of the opposite second valve support portions 1414b2, respectively. Here, each tilting support portion 1414b may be formed in quadrants, which are far from the valve fixing portion 1414a and far from the second valve support portion 1414b2, of quadrants formed by crossing the first direction virtual line CL1 and a second direction virtual line CL2 orthogonal to the first direction virtual line CL1. Accordingly, when the opening and closing end portion 1413c of the discharge valve 1413 is open, the tilting suppression portion 1414d can suppress the opening and closing end portion 1413c from being distorted outward. This can stabilize the behavior of the discharge valve 1413 described above by suppressing the distortion of the opening and closing end portion 1413c when the symmetrical discharge valve 1413 is open and closed.
The discharge system of the valve assembly according to the embodiment may operate as follows.
Referring to FIGS. 8 to 10, when the piston 132 forming the compressor body C moves backward (performs a suction stroke), the volume of the compression chamber 1315a may increase and the pressure of the compression chamber 1315a may become lower than the pressure of the discharge chamber 1415a. Then, the opposite valve opening and closing portions 1413c of the discharge valve 1413 may rotate together with the corresponding connecting portions 1413b in a closing direction centering around the valve fixing portion 1413a, thereby closing the corresponding discharge ports 1411b.
When the piston 132 that has been pushed backward moves forward (performs a discharge stroke), the volume of the compression chamber 1315a may decrease and the pressure of the compression chamber 1315a may become greater than the sum of the pressure of the discharge chamber 1415a and the elastic force of the discharge valve 1413. Then, the opposite opening and closing end portions 1413c of the discharge valve 1413 may be bent backward based on the fixed end portion 1413a together with the corresponding connecting portions 1413b, thereby opening the corresponding discharge ports 1411b. At this time, each opening and closing end portion 1413c of the discharge valve 1413 may be open together with the corresponding connecting portion 1413b in two stages by the valve support portion 1414b of the valve stopper 1414, so that the behavior of the valve can be stabilized and valve slap noise can be reduced.
FIGS. 11A to 11C are schematic views of an opening operation of a discharge valve. In these drawings, a connecting portion and an opening and closing end portion on one side are illustrated as a representative example, but for convenience, the operation of the corresponding discharge valve is somewhat exaggerated.
Referring to FIG. 11A, at the initial opening stage of the discharge valve 1413, the opening and closing end portion 1413c may rotate around the fixed end portion 1413a together with the connecting portion 1413b. At this time, a portion between the fixed end portion 1413a and the corresponding connecting portion 1413b may come into contact with the first support point P1 located between the valve fixing portion 1414a and the first valve support portion 1414b1 of the valve stopper 1414, so that the connection portion 1413b and the opening and closing end portion 1413c of the discharge valve 1413 can be open while accumulating elastic force. In some embodiments, at the initial opening stage of the discharge valve 1413, the opening operation may be allowed as the connecting portion and the opening and closing end portion are in a free state between the valve plate and the valve stopper.
Next, referring to FIG. 11B, during the intermediate opening stage of the discharge valve, the connecting portion 1413b of the discharge valve 1413 may come into contact with the second support point P2 between the first valve support portion 1414b1 and the second valve support portion 1414b2, thereby restricting the opening operation of the connecting portion 1413b. Then, the connecting portion 1413b of the discharge valve 1413 may be convexly bent toward the first valve support portion 1414b1 based on the first support point P1.
In some embodiments, the opening and closing end portion 1413c may not reach the second valve support portion 1414b2, and thus the opening operation may continue. The opening and closing end portion 1413c of the discharge valve 1413 may be bent toward the second valve support portion 1414b2 with an end free.
Next, referring to FIG. 11C, during the final opening stage of the discharge valve, the opening and closing end portion 1413c of the discharge valve 1413 may come into contact with the second valve support portion 1414b2, so that the opening operation of the discharge valve 1413 is completely restricted. The connecting portion 1413b of the discharge valve 1413 may be in close contact with the first valve support portion 1414b1 and simultaneously the opening and closing end portion 1413c may be in close contact with the second valve support portion 1414b2.
Afterwards, when the piston 132 moves backward again and the pressure in the compression chamber 1315a becomes lower than the pressure in the discharge chamber 1415a, the connecting portion 1413b and the opening and closing end portion 1413c of the discharge valve 1413 may be restored stepwise by the elastic force of the connecting portion 1413b to be in contact with the valve plate 1411, thereby closing the discharge port 1411b.
In this way, as the length of the moment arm is shortened, a torsional moment and/or rotational moment that occurs at the connecting portion and the opening and closing end portion upon opening and closing the discharge valve can be canceled. Through this, compression efficiency can be improved by suppressing the behavioral instability of the opening and closing end portion that may occur when opening and closing the discharge valve, and also compressor noise can be improved by reducing valve slap noise.
Hereinafter, a description will be given of another embodiment of the valve stopper.
For example, in the above-described embodiment, one side surface of the valve stopper that faces the discharge valve may be formed flat, but in some cases, one side surface of the valve stopper that faces the discharge valve may be formed in a plurality of steps or may be formed to be inclined or curved.
FIG. 12 is a cross-sectional view of another embodiment of a valve stopper.
Referring to FIG. 12, the discharge system of the valve assembly according to this embodiment may include a valve plate 1411, a discharge valve 1413, and a valve stopper 1414. The basic configuration of the valve plate 1411, the discharge valve 1413, and the valve stopper 1414 and the operating effects thereof are similar to those of the previous embodiments, and thus a detailed description thereof will be omitted. For example, as for the valve stopper 1414 according to this embodiment, the valve support portion 1414b may include a first valve support portion 1414b1 and a second valve support portion 1414b2. A first support point P1 may be formed between the valve fixing portion 1414a and the first valve support portion 1414b1 and a second support point P2 may be formed between the first valve support portion 1414b1 and the second valve support portion 1414b2. This is the same as that in the previous embodiments.
However, unlike the above-described embodiment, the valve stopper 1414 according to this embodiment may have a valve support portion (more precisely, a valve support surface) 1414b formed not to be flat. For example, the first valve support portion 1414b1 may be formed in a plurality of steps or may be inclined by a preset inclination angle α or curved to be away from the valve plate (a bottom surface of a discharge guide groove) 1411, in a direction from the valve fixing portion 1414a to the second valve support portion 1414b2. Even in this case, the connecting portion 1413b of the discharge valve 1413 may be bent while rotating around the first support point P1 when the discharge valve 1413 is open, such that the open degree of the discharge valve 1413 can be limited by the first valve support portion 1414b1.
In the case where the first valve support portion 1414b1 is formed in the plurality of steps or in the inclined or curved manner as described above, a gap between the valve plate 1411 and the valve stopper 1414 at the second support point P2 may increase. Accordingly, when the discharge valve 1413 is open, the flow resistance can be reduced, so that the behavior of the discharge valve 1413 can be stabilized, collision noise can be reduced, and refrigerant of the compression chamber can be quickly discharged, as in the previous embodiment.
Although not shown in the drawings, the second valve support portion 1414b2 may also form a straight surface, and may also be inclined such that the second height H2 is greater than the first height H1. Even in this case, the opening and closing end portion 1413c of the discharge valve 1413 may rotate around the second support point P2 when the opening and closing end portion 1413c of the discharge valve 1413 is open, such that the open degree of the discharge valve 1413 can be limited by the second valve support portion 1414b2. However, in this case, in the process in which the opening and closing end portion 1413c comes into contact with the second valve support portion 1414b2, a buffer space may be formed between the opening and closing end portion 1413c and the second valve support portion 1414b2, so that collision force on the opening and closing end portion 1413c can be reduced.
Hereinafter, a description will be given of still another embodiment of a valve stopper.
For example, in the above-described embodiments, one side surface of the valve stopper that faces the discharge valve may be formed flat, but in some cases, a valve buffer portion may be formed in one side surface of the valve stopper that faces the discharge valve.
FIG. 13 is a perspective view of still another embodiment of a valve stopper.
Referring to FIG. 13, a discharge system of a valve assembly according to this embodiment may include a valve plate 1411, a discharge valve 1413, and a valve stopper 1414. The basic configuration of the valve plate 1411, the discharge valve 1413, and the valve stopper 1414 and the operational effects thereof are similar to those of the previous embodiments, and thus a detailed description thereof will be omitted. For example, as for the valve stopper 1414 according to this embodiment, the valve support portion 1414b may include a first valve support portion 1414b1 and a second valve support portion 1414b2. A first support point P1 may be formed between the valve fixing portion 1414a and the first valve support portion 1414b1 and a second support point P2 may be formed between the first valve support portion 1414b1 and the second valve support portion 1414b2. This is the same as that in the previous embodiments.
However, unlike the above-described embodiments, the valve stopper 1414 according to this embodiment may have a valve buffer portion 1414e formed in the valve support portion (precisely, the valve support surface) 1414b. For example, the valve buffer portion 1414e may be formed concavely by a preset depth in the first valve support portion 1414b1 which faces the connecting portion 1413b of the discharge valve 1413.
The valve buffer portion 1414e may be formed concavely to have a circumferential surface at the center of the first valve support portion 1414b1, as shown in FIG. 13, but in some cases, may be formed longitudinally in a width direction such that a partial circumferential surface is open at the center of the first valve support portion 1414b1.
When the valve buffer portion 1414e is formed concavely in the first valve support portion 1414b1 as described above, a certain amount of refrigerant and/or oil may be stored in the valve buffer portion 1414e in a discharge pressure state. Accordingly, when the discharge valve 1413 is open, the valve buffer portion 1414e may cancel torsion of the discharge valve 1413, which occurs during the opening of the discharge valve 1413, and simultaneously may buffer collision force between the rear surface of the discharge valve 1413 and the valve stopper 1414 which faces the rear surface of the discharge valve 1413. This may result in further stabilizing the opening and closing operation of the discharge valve 1413 and further reducing collision noise occurred during the opening and closing of the discharge valve 1413.
Although not shown in the drawings, the valve buffer portion 1414e may be formed through the valve stopper 1414 in a thickness direction. In this case, the valve buffer portion 1414e may be formed to have the same inner diameter, but in some cases, may be formed to have a tapered cross-section such that its inner diameter decreases away from the discharge valve 1413. Even in this case, refrigerant and/or oil in the discharge chamber 1415a may flow into the rear of the discharge valve 1413 through the valve buffer portion 1414e to buffer the opening and closing operation of the discharge valve 1413.
Although not shown in the drawing, the valve buffer portion 1414e may be formed in the second valve support portion 1414b2 in addition to the first valve support portion 1414b1. Even in these cases, the configuration and operational effect of the valve buffer portion 1414e are the same as those in the previously described embodiment, so a detailed description thereof will be omitted.
In the above-described embodiments, the valve assembly applied to the reciprocating compressor has been described, but it is not necessarily limited to the valve assembly of the reciprocating compressor. The embodiment according to the disclosure relates to a reed valve, and thus may be equally applicable to a valve assembly including the reed valve and a compressor having the valve assembly.

Claims

A compressor comprising:
a cylinder having a compression chamber into which refrigerant is suctioned to be compressed;

a valve plate comprising a discharge port coupled to the cylinder to communicate with the compression chamber;

a discharge valve arranged on one side of the valve plate on an opposite side of the cylinder, and configured to open and close the discharge port;

a discharge cover arranged on one side of the discharge valve on an opposite side of the valve plate to be coupled to the cylinder, and accommodating the discharge port therein; and

a valve stopper arranged between the discharge valve and the discharge cover, and configured to support the discharge valve on the valve plate,

wherein the valve stopper has at least two support points at which the valve stopper supports an opening direction of the discharge valve.
The compressor of claim 1, wherein the valve stopper comprises:
a valve fixing portion arranged on one end thereof to be in close contact with the discharge valve; and

a valve support portion extending from the valve fixing portion, the discharge valve being in contact with or separated from the valve support portion, and

the support point is formed as at least one support point between opposite longitudinal ends of the valve support portion.
The compressor of claim 2, wherein the valve stopper comprises a first support point formed between the valve fixing portion and the valve support portion, and a second support point formed on a middle portion of the valve support portion in a longitudinal direction of the valve support portion.
The compressor of claim 3, wherein the valve support portion is formed such that a second length from the first support point to the second support point is greater than or equal to a first length of the valve fixing portion.
The compressor of claim 3, wherein the valve support portion is formed such that a second length from the first support point to the second support point is greater than or equal to a third length from the second support point to an end of the valve support portion.
The compressor of claim 3, wherein the valve support portion is formed such that a second length from the first support point to the second support point is greater than or equal to a first length of the valve fixing portion, and
the second length from the first support point to the second support point is greater than or equal to a third length from the second support point to an end of the valve support portion, and

the second length is smaller than or equal to the third length.
The compressor of claim 2, wherein a first height between the valve fixing portion and the valve support portion is smaller than or equal to a second height between the opposite ends of the valve support portion.
The compressor of claim 3, wherein a valve buffer portion is formed in a valve support surface of the valve support portion which faces the discharge valve.
The compressor of claim 8, wherein the valve support portion comprises:
a first valve support portion extending from the valve fixing portion; and

a second valve support portion extending from the first valve support portion and comprising a support point between the first valve support portion and the second valve support portion, and

the valve buffer portion is formed in the first valve support portion.
The compressor of claim 9, wherein the valve buffer portion is formed concavely in or through the valve support surface.
The compressor of claim 9, wherein the valve buffer portion is formed in the valve support surface to be inclined.
The compressor of any of claims 1 to 11, wherein the discharge port is arranged as a plurality of discharge ports,
the discharge valve comprises one fixed end portion, and a plurality of opening and closing end portions extending from the fixed end portion,

the valve stopper comprises one valve fixing portion and a plurality of valve support portions extending from the fixed end portion, and

the plurality of valve support portions each comprise a tilting suppression portion extending radially.
The compressor of claim 12, wherein the plurality of valve support portions extend, in a direction crossing a longitudinal direction of the valve fixing portion, from opposite sides of the valve fixing portion in the longitudinal direction, and
the tilting suppression portions extend from surfaces of the plurality of valve support portions, opposite to surfaces of the plurality of valve support portions which face each other.
The compressor of claim 13, wherein the tilting suppression portions are formed on an opposite side of the valve fixing portion based on virtual lines connecting centers of the plurality of valve support portions.
The compressor of claim 12, wherein each of the plurality of valve support portions comprises a support protrusion extending radially, and
the tilting suppression portion extends radially between the support protrusion and the valve support portion.